We’re seeing them all around: stories of advances in computing that are enabling greater automation with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Machine Learning (ML), a subfield of AI and statistics, is one of today’s most rapidly growing technical fields. Machine-learning-based applications can be found in domains from healthcare to commerce.
BCIT Computing’s Computer Systems Technology Diploma program has just launched a second-year option in AIML to meet this area of demand, and the first set of students started this month. The new option will enable students to specialize in the design and development of software that can learn from and make decisions/predictions on data sets.
Wide-Ranging Applications of AI
Current examples of applied artificial intelligence and machine learning systems include spam filtering, product recommendation, speech recognition, and autonomous driving.
“Artificial intelligence is a field of computer science that is not new and has been explored for decades,” explains Option Head Dr. Chi En Huang.
“What makes it exciting today is that we now not only have the ability to gather large-scale data sets, but also the computational power to process them efficiently, allowing AI systems to learn and gain insights from the data for purposes of better decision making and prediction.”
Industry Demand
There is growing demand for technology professionals with machine learning skillsets in BC and globally. Chi En advises that local industry has been coming to us with potential student projects, from both the public and private sector. If job trend lines on employment sites are any indication, the trajectory for careers in this area looks optimistic.
Students themselves helped launch the new option by selecting it as their favourite of a list of proposed new options in this growing software development diploma program, with 60% of students surveyed being keen on the proposal.
“With the vast potential to apply artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques in a variety of untapped domains, this field will undoubtedly continue to bring about transformative impact,” concludes Huang.
Exactly, the AI and ML adoption in the several sectors is indeed going to tap the opportunities that are forthcoming. Great article!
Do you have anything related to ML and IoT? are these two also connected in some or the other way?
Please share the article if available.
I would like to know more about Artificial Intelligence courses.
Please advise in detail.
Thanks,
Our AI courses are offered as part of our CST program, please see the links in the article above. Of particular interest will be the courses under the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Option:
COMP 4983 Machine Learning
COMP 4989 Selected Topics in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Thank you for your interest!
After completing this CST diploma with AI and Machine learning option, where to go for higher study in this field. Do I need to go for Bachelor in Computer systems? Can someone get the job in this field after this diploma?
Regards
Gulshan
Hi Gulshan,
Thanks for your interest! Yes, a route into a Bachelor’s degree is possible, but most of our students go directly into the workforce after graduating. Some continue on to complete the Bachelor’s part time while working. More information and data is on the CST graduation outcomes page.
Best,
Cynthia
Does the faculty have any plan to add these AI courses as electives to CST part-time diploma in the future? Hope the new courses can benefit those part-time students as well.
Thanks for your question, Jianfen. Two new courses on AI were recently launched in Part-time form: COMP 7405 – Topics in Computer Programming – AI, which is expected to be offered again this spring by Dr. Huang; and COMP 1021 – Applied AI for Non-programmers for a more general audience. I have also shared your interest with CST Part-time Studies diploma staff. Best wishes in your studies!
I am currently CSP PTS student for diploma, and wonder if I can take this machine learning courses and get valid credits for the graduation. My company industry very close to this subject and wish I can take this course and get credits.
Hi Matt,
Since these are full-time “option” courses, you would need to be enrolled in the full-time CST Diploma AIML option to take them.
However, you might be able to take this course in Part-time Studies: COMP 7404: Topics in Computer Programming – Artificial Intelligence
You would need to have completed the pre-requisites (COMP2121, MATH3042, and COMP3522 or equivalent), which I think you would normally have done by Level 3 in the CST PTS Diploma.
Good luck pursuing this exciting area!
Hi, I’m from India,My son completed Diploma in IT just last month, he is doing job yet as a Jr. Embedded Devloper, he is interested to do Diploma in AI & Ml , can you guide us for this program & all about details
Hello Jayna,
Thank you for your interest in our BCIT Computing programs. The AI/ML option is a competitive second-year subset of the Computer Systems Technology Diploma, open to students in that program.
Best wishes as you select educational paths with your son!
Cynthia for BCIT Computing